Portable stand



Sept. 5, 1939. J. D EBERT 2,172,123

PORTABLE STAND 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 17, 1937 t. 5, 1939. J. D. EBERT 2,172,123

PORTABLE STAND 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 17, 1957 i 8 MW Y (737276 J. 17507 2 Patented Sept. 5, 1939 f UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention-relates to a portable or folding stand or support, designed primarily for use in .supporting a basket, box or the like, whereby the support and burden may be .moved from place to place as-a unit. I

An important object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which may be readily and easily set up or folded for storing, due consideration being given to the strength and durability of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide yieldable means secured to the leg members having connection with thebasket, box or the like mounted on the stand, so thatthe receptacle sup-ported thereon-will be held into close ens gagement with the stand, with the result that the upper ends of the leg members of the stand are forced outwardly by the tension of .the yieldable means pulling the receptacle and stand together.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a hinge of novel construction for 0011-. necting the leg members of the support, to insure a rigid structure, but at the same time provide a structure which may be readily and easily folded into a small compact article for storing or shipment.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in -the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational View of a stand or support, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail View illustrating the yieldable means forming a part of the support, for yieldably securing the basket or box in position on the stand.

Figure 4 is a detail view disclosing the cable or rope connecting the upper ends of the leg members of the device, as passing through openings formed near the upper ends of the leg members of the stand, the ends of the cable or rope being suitably spliced.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3, showing the interlocking eye hinge, and screw eye member of eye hinge.

Figure 6 is an elevational view disclosing means for securing the lid or cover to the basket or box that is supported on the support.

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional View through a modified form of supporting leg, showing cotter 5 eye of eye hinge.

Figure-8 is a fragmental detail view illustrating the flexible member as extending through an opening in one of the leg members.

Figure 9 is a view illustrating a rivet eye mem- 10 b er secured to one of the leg members.

Figure 10 is a view illustrating one of the hinge eyes provided with a bolt shank for attachment to a leg member.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the stand or support comprises a plurality of leg members indicated generally by the reference character 5. These leg members are provided with interlocking eye members 6 which connect the leg members at points intermediate their ends, providing a hinge so that the leg members" may be spread or extended from a folded position, to a supporting position, as shown by Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

Disposed adjacent to the upper end of each leg member 5, is an opening which openings of the leg members accommodate the rope or cable indicated by the reference character 1, the rope or cable 1, being of a length to allow the upper ends of the leg members to separate and assume a supporting position. Pins 23 are extended through the leg members and pass into the rope or cable securing the rope or cable against movement with respect to the leg members. It will of course be understood that this rope or cable 1 restricts outward movement of the upper ends of the leg members under the weight of the basket, box or the like, which may be supported thereon.

As clearly shown by Figure 3 of the drawings, a substantially U-shaped securing member 8 is provided and has an eye at one end thereof, the eye being indicated by the reference character 9. The eye is extended through the interlocking eye member hinge 6, and is secured therein, by means of the outwardly curved ends l0 thereof, that extend through the washer II. This eye hinge comprises interlocking screw eyes, cotter eyes, bolt eyes, rivet eyes or the like.

The member 8 provides means for connecting the coiled spring l2 to the interlocking eye mem bers, the upper end of the spring member [2 being formed into a hook l3 into which the eye portion l4 of the elongated hook l5 extends, the free end of the hook member l5 adapted to be struction shown and described, when the leg members are moved to their supporting positions,

the hook member may be positioned through the ring I6, placing the spring l2 under tension, and securely but removably holding the basket or box IT to the support.

As shown by Figure 6 of the drawings, I have provided flexible members I9, having hooks 2d at their upper ends which are adapted to be hooked over the cover or lid of the basket or box placed on the stand or support. These members l9 are secured to the spring 20, by means of the members 21, which are formed with openings 22, through which the flexible members l9 extend in such a way that the members l9 may be readily and easily adjusted to the proper lengths, for pcsitioning over the cover or lid of the basket or box supported by the device.

Securing members 26 are provided adjacent to the upper ends of the leg members, the securing members being in the form of cotter keys that are adapted to extend through the wall of the basket box or article supported on the device, securing the article in position on the stand, should it be desired to use this form of securing device in place of the yieldable securing device previously described.

To further strengthen the stand or support and add to the utility thereof, a length of flexible material such as canvas or the like and indicated by the reference 25, is secured to the rope or cable 1. It may also be found desirable to secure the basket, box or article supported on the stand, by means of the screws 21, that extend through the basket, box or the like, and pass into openings in the upper ends of the leg members.

As shown by Figure *7 of the drawings, the leg members 5 are of tubular formation, and are provided with openings to receive the eye members 6 which are interlocked to foldably secure the leg members together.

As shown in Figure 9 the eye 6a may be attached to the leg 5 by means of a riveted shank or as shown in Figure 10 the eye 6b can be attached by means of a nut threaded on the shank.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, a container such as a basket, box or the like may be secured to the stand in such a way that the container and stand may be readily and easily moved from place to place, without the necessity of removing the basket or box. It might be further stated that the device may be conveniently used by a mechanic in supporting his tools, or by a person hanging clothes on a line to dry.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A stand of the class described, comprising a plurality of supporting leg members, eye members secured to the leg members, the eyes of the eye members being interlocked providing an eye hinge pivotally connecting the leg members, an eye member connected with the eye hinge, a spring connected with the eye member, a hook secured to the spring and adapted to be removably secured to a receptacle supported on the upper ends of the leg members, securing the receptacle on the stand.

2. A stand of the class described, comprising a plurality of supporting leg members, eye members mounted on the leg members intermediate the ends of the leg members, the eye members beinginterlocked pivotally connecting the leg members, means for restricting outward movement of the upper ends of the leg members under the weight of a receptacle mounted thereon, and yieldable means connected with the eye members and adapted to be connected with a receptacle mounted on the stand, for securing the receptacle on the stand.

3. A stand of the class described, comprising a plurality of supporting leg members, cotter eye members mounted on the leg members intermedite the ends of the leg members, the cotter eye members being interlocked pivotally connecting the leg members, means for restricting outward movement of the upper ends of the leg members under the weight of a receptacle mounted thereon, a flexible element secured to the restricting means to provide a supporting surface, and yieldable means connected with the cotter eye members and adapted to be connected with a receptacle mounted on the stand, for securing the receptacle on the stand.

JOHN D. EBERT. 

